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🎹 Organ sound 🎼 A long symphony 🎶 Introductory music
sinfonia

sinfonia

9.5
A long piece for orchestra in several parts like a symphony
  • noun
  • /sɪnˈfoʊniə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sinfonía
  • Remarkably, Mendelssohn was only 12 years old when he wrote String Sinfonia No. 1.
  • sinfonia concertante

Examples

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sinfonia Concertante

    Academic text (2005)

  • Cast in three parts, it is a cantata-sinfonia in three contrasting movements: the first is a clarion call to the office, the second a more reflective, confessional plea, and the third a brief final blessing.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Mendelssohn's String Sinfonia No. 1 showcases his incredible talent at a young age.

  • The conductor highlighted the beauty of Piazzolla's Sinfonia Buenos Aires during the performance.

  • The orchestra played a stunning sinfonia that captivated the audience for over an hour.

Synonyms

symphony
vssinfonia
72 5.6

A long piece of music for a full orchestra with several movements

is similar but used especially in classical music contexts

How Long

symphony
72 5.6
sinfonia
  • Specialized
9.5
piece
∞ 3.0
overture
  • Specialized
11 7.7

Surface Forms

sinfonia singular
sinfonias plural

Etymology

Sinfonia comes from Greek parts syn- and phon meaning 'together' and 'sound', and it is the same root as the familiar word symphony. So a sinfonia is literally many sounds played 'together', which helps explain why it can be a long orchestral piece in several parts.